While many organizations work to improve lives in rural Armenia, few can claim to have the impact that has been achieved since 2003 by the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). This article looks at what they have done so far, what lies ahead, and how the Armenian private sector can join the effort.
Text : Nazareth Seferian
Photo : COAF
More than 20 years ago, an American-Armenian with roots in Istanbul, Dr. Garo Armen, visited Armenia for the first time and ended up in the village of Karakert in Armavir. Much to his shock, he discovered that the local residents did not have access to fresh water, and had to buy this essential resource from the neighboring village. He recognized the need for urgent action and the idea that took shape in his mind on that day is now one of the most impactful organizations in Armenia – the Children of Armenia Fund, or COAF. From that initial focus on infrastructure, COAF has evolved into an organization that provides holistic support to 76 communities and 6 regions in Armenia, and 6 communities in Artsakh, with three programmatic pillars – education, economic development, and healthcare.
Investing in education
COAF has a long-term vision for the development of Armenia and this includes very early investments in the education journey undertaken by children in the organization’s beneficiary villages. Anyone in Armenia with even the slightest of knowledge of COAF’s activities is aware of the SMART Center in Lori, a 2300-square-meter, state-of-the-art educational hub in north Armenia that provides more than 2000 children from 27 communities with free education in a range of areas such as engineering (mechanics, programming, agritech), languages (Chinese, English, Russian), entrepreneurship (finance, management, marketing), music (vocals, sound design, musical instruments), and much more.
The success of this center has led to plans for expansion in Armavir, Gyumri, Goris, and Kapan. The plans in Armavir consist of clean energy programs, while in Gyumri, there is a partnership in the works for a potential branch of the prestigious EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne) Hospitality Business School. COAF also gained the aid of the European Union by receiving around €20 million in grants and loans along with land donated by the state for their plans in Syunik. With this aid, they intend to open two sites in Goris and one in Kapan that will include not only SMART centers but also agriculture activities and sports complexes as part of their SMART Initiatives. “COAF’s SMART Citizenship curriculum was built using the 3H Theory of holistic learning.
The 3H theory targets simultaneous cognitive (head), emotional (heart), and psychomotor (hand) development of students through project-based instruction of 18 different programs that help students discover themselves, develop life-long skills and reinvent a cosmopolitan outlook,” says Liana Ghaltaghchyan, Managing Director of COAF. But COAF’s investment in education is not limited to the SMART Center. Their programs also provide scholarships to promising young citizens and allow them to access the best opportunities in university education in Armenia. Several foundations and businesses have supported them in making this possible, especially the Jack Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation as well as Armenia Educational Foundation, HSBC Bank Armenia, and others. “COAF’s message to the business community in Armenia is one of collaboration and shared responsibility for the development of rural areas of Armenia.
We believe that sustainable development requires the active involvement of businesses, and we encourage partnerships that leverage the expertise, resources, and networks of both COAF and the private sector,” says Ms. Ghaltaghchyan, “Through a partnership with COAF, businesses can expect to contribute to positive social change, enhance their corporate social responsibility efforts, and align their business goals with sustainable community development.”
Liana Ghaltaghchyan, Managing Director of COAF
Small business as the backbone of rural Armenia
COAF has recognized the importance of supporting the development of small businesses in beneficiary communities. This promotes local entrepreneurship and self-sustainability, empowering individuals to create their own livelihoods. It also helps to diversify local economies and reduce dependency on traditional industries. Additionally, the growth of small businesses stimulates job creation, enhances income levels, and contributes to overall economic resilience. For example, COAF has also provided grants for the development of local businesses here such as the CheeseUp enterprise and Chamich B&B.
Like these two small businesses, the biggest investment into COAF’s economic development pillar can also be seen in Debet, Lori. As a boost to the region’s economic infrastructure and to support the SMART Center’s sustainability, COAF built the Concept Hotel, featuring modern architecture that treats guests to a scenic view of the surrounding natural landscape. An expansion of this facility, with a new conference center, will soon be complete, while a visitor’s center on the M6 Highway will allow people driving through this part of Armenia to make use of much-needed facilities such as a cafeteria, ATMs, chargers, and restrooms. Thus, COAF’s economic development pillar recognizes the importance of creating new opportunities in the regions, and they see a role for Armenian corporations in this work. “Bigger businesses can benefit from the development of these smaller enterprises through potential collaboration and supply chain opportunities. They can work with COAF by providing mentorship, technical assistance, and access to markets and distribution channels for these small businesses,” says Liana Ghaltaghchyan.
A healthy future for COAF and Armenia
The third pillar of COAF’s work in the country focuses on family and child health. There are many gaps when it comes to primary care in rural Armenia, and COAF has done tremendous work over the past 20 years when it comes to dental care, both in terms of prevention and treatment. There are very ambitious plans in 2023 for the Dsegh health center, which will provide services to 7 communities in the region, including best practices in chronic disease management to improve health outcomes and the overall well-being of the communities. Subsequent phases will include expanding to areas such as cancer screenings and child care.
“we’re bolstering healthcare services in rural communities and supporting the Government’s primary healthcare system reform agenda. We’re dedicated to working with the Ministry of Health and regional government to explore and implement innovative solutions for accessible, high-quality healthcare,” Liana Ghaltaghchyan added. The Dsegh health center will be providing an institutional backbone to high-impact work that COAF has been doing in this area for a very long time. Schoolchildren in COAF beneficiary villages have received education on oral hygiene and innovative initiatives like “brushdromes” in schools have ensured that this has led to real behavior change and a measured impact of 30% less decay. In addition, the organization has created three dental units serving more than 15 villages, meaning that 5,325 children have healthier teeth. Another important focus within the healthcare activities is the prevention of cancer.
COAF provides villagers with access to regular cancer screenings, which is critical for their future health. While there is a state policy to provide all citizens with free screenings, this has not been evenly implemented on the ground, and COAF has bridged that gap. Since 2008, 1,771 women and men have been screened on early detection of breast, thyroid, and prostate cancers. 48 cancer cases were detected and complications prevented. A lot can be said about what COAF has achieved over the past 20 years, and they make a strong case for partnership when it comes to any donor or business that wants to have real impact on the ground. It is best, perhaps, to let the numbers do the talking.
As Ms. Ghaltaghchyan proudly says, “Our work and our partnerships have had a tangible impact on the communities we serve, enhancing educational opportunities, fostering economic growth, and improving the well-being of individuals. For businesses, these collaborations have demonstrated their commitment to social responsibility, strengthened their brand reputation, and provided opportunities for employee engagement and skill-building. As of this moment, the Children of Armenia Fund has aided 64 communities in 6 provinces via 170 infrastructure projects and 35 active programs, totaling $50 million in investments. With this massive effort, more than 107,000 Armenian lives have changed.”
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